L Albereta Erbusco

... the lake. The food produced in this area of Italy is another of the many highlights, the number of cheeses, ham and wines to sample seems infinte. The area has all kinds of diverse scenery and vistas to enjoy. I have been visiting this area for over 5 years and have come to the conclusion that the aesthetic and cultural assets are hard to beat.

... great time! I don't know why we don't hang out more often. We went to a bar (one of two in town) then had dinner at the restaurant near her house. Talking with her made me realize that I was in Italy. It's not like I had forgotten, but you know how it is, you get in a routine, I just didn't appreciate it like I had when I first got here. She helped make it fresh again, and I felt so lucky to be here. Things have definitely improved with the boys, there are ...

... she would throw it in the cart "so you can bring it home to your family." I love watching the butcher slice meat. It's so quick and the slices are so thin, and the sound is a shushing sound that I could listen to for hours, I know that's weird, but I like it! I tried a slice of what they use for bacon, and it was AMAZING. Later that day I had my first lesson with the girl from the castle, and it went pretty well. She had Charlie and ...

... as well. I got up and left, heading back towards the station. After a while I noticed it wasn't the right road but I figured I could just make a left at the top and still get there. The weather was so nice I didn't mind. But then, the guy appeared again. I would cross the road and he would pass me, then I would cross again, and minutes later, there he'd be. I started to get a little creeped out and picked up my pace. As I made my way in the ...

... possible to get hold of a piece of the float for those that do luck is sure to be with them all year. There is a great crush as the crowd surges forward to watch the frenzy, the horses stamp, and yet I have never felt so safe and calm amongst a pressing crowd as we all strain to see the remains of the iron cart and the proud winners of angel wings and saints made of papier-mâché with exquisite detail and craftsmanship. Crowded ...

... asking if they had my size. They said no, but they did have the size below, so I decided to look anyway. The lady I had asked stood to the side and watched as I searched the shoes. Her stare made me uneasy so I moved to the next row. She followed. I got slightly ticked off. I moved to the purses. Guess who came with? She watched me like she thought I was going to steal something. I was so furious. In Brescia when I was going through the stores ...

... and squealing) another. I'm seriously afraid for that kids teeth, he eats a lot of sweet stuff and still uses a pacifier. After I could barely move we went back to the church because they were having a party because Sunday School was starting. We sat and watched all the kids play, they did a different version of dodgeball which looked like fun, and it was just a beautiful day, sitting outside, listening to the shrieks of happy children, patting my ...

... s fast or not, but we'll see how I do. Next week sometime I'm getting picked up by Luisa's cousin who is my age and studying historic preservation and she's taking me to her class in Verona, and then we are going to Brescia to see if I can get a job in a museum somewhere. Isn't it all so random? It's fantastic. I wasn't sure what to expect, but this sure wasn't it. I'm glad I didn't have any expectations, because it makes this all the more fun!

AMSTERDAM was not that nice.....bikes everywhere, they run you over if you don't get out of there way......70,000 bikes the guide told us and 10% are stolen every week. Not surprised as
they seem to leave them everywhere they can.

We had great entertainment on board last night, 3 piece string band, they were excellent.

We sailed all night to Cologne. Cologne was lovely ...

... me a lot of time to think about a suitable Christmas present for Hoges when I soon next saw him back in Sydney. I needed to find something meaningful that would wholeheartedly convey my gratitude for the incredible opportunity to go to the Ferrari factory with him, but I was racking my brains without success. And then I finally figured it out – such a thing had been there beside me the whole evening. The leftover Nelly Furtado CD would do nicely.